In a rare show of support, an Islamic non-government organisation has risen to the defence of Sisters-in-Islam (SIS) over a police report lodged against the women's group.

The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) filed the police report last month against SIS for its press statement questioning the caning of three Muslim women.

Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF) chairperson Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa said that this move by the religious authority was troubling.

"To exhibit power and authority in trying to silence dissenting views from being debated in an open court is a clear manifestation of the grandiose idea that might is right," he said.

He explained that implementation of syariah had to be done with the understanding of its 'higher intention' or maqasid to ensure that justice is served.

Syariah promotes just system

Ahmad Farouk said the environment is not conducive enough for syariah to be applied in a modern society.

"We must first discuss the social fabric of our society, whether there is equality, and whether the weak are adequately protected by the system, before we implement syariah," he said.

He claimed that in the case of these three women being caned, the punishment did not comply with syariah principles.

"It seems like these women were victimised, especially so when we do not know what happened to the men involved," he added.

However, he stressed that the organisation is not questioning Quranic laws but rather, questioning its implementation.

Ahmad Farouk said that hudud laws are manifestations of a just society.

"If the society is not just, then we cannot see its beauty," he said.

Islam is about justice and equality, not whipping